33PA has been supporting contemporary creatives to grow their careers through extensive touchpoints, forming a worldwide, inclusive community where artists and art enthusiasts can connect. Previously known as PoetsArtists, 33PA is the multifaceted brainchild of Didi Menendez, covering both marketing and publishing of its artistic members. As the official Platinum Sponsor of this year’s 33PA Emerging Artist Award, I wanted to celebrate 33PA’s recent rebranding, so I got in touch with Didi and four of her artists to learn more.
From poetry to art
Beginning with just a published magazine, Didi Menendez soon expanded to form an international art community, publication, and subsequently bespoke curated exhibitions as well. Originally, Didi also published poems alongside the visual art: “When I created PoetsArtists in 2008 I [had also been] publishing MiPOesias since 1998, which was centered on just poetry. I thought that publishing a magazine which also included art would bring in more readers to the poems, but the opposite happened. The art took off and the poems started to become less and less. Eventually, it was just about the art.” With strong relationships now built with various talented artists, Didi saw it was time for a change. “I reached out to several galleries to see if they wanted to partner with me in selling the art – and Sergio Gomez with 33 Contemporary said yes.”
This evolution led to the recent rebranding, and now 33PA stands tall in the contemporary art world.
Fear not, however, if you thought more was changing! “The rebrand has not changed the way I work with artists” Didi assures, much to the delight of the hundreds of artists and creatives who form the 33PA community. Forming a broad spectrum, 33PA offers multiple levels at which to join. Each tier has been created to provide bespoke perks and focal points to boost activity and promotion.
33PA Artist Spotlight
Are you an artist seeking a new community to chat with like-minded creatives? Or looking to submit to bespoke monthly themes and shows, promoted on Artsy in partnership with 33 Contemporary? Perhaps you are you seeking a marketing representative with which to form a deeper working relationship? Whatever your goal, 33PA can help.
Below is more information, but we wanted to also shine a light on four members to celebrate some of the talent already within the 33PA’s community! Read ahead to learn more about Viktoria Savenkova, Kate Van Doren, J. Adam Mc Galliard, and Erica Calardo.
Viktoria Savenkova
A long-time member of 33PA since 2017, Belarusian-born Viktoria Savenkova’s works build an emotional and psychological dialogue with the spectator. Focussing on the concept of unfinished stories, she invites the viewer into her scenes to become immersed within Viktoria’s own inner world. In doing so, the spectator becomes, psychologically, a part of the art, more intricately and emotionally involved than perhaps first thought.
One of her best practices is to trust her “intuition fully in the creative process”, which has encouraged her to embrace spontaneity and explore unconventional ideas, leading to more authentic and personal artworks. She has been a part of multiple 33PA publications and exhibitions which has led to her engaging with a broader audience and furthering her sales.
My goal as an artist is to translate the essence of my inner world into art and express my feelings about the world. Through my artwork, I share my experiences and emotions, aiming to connect with others on a deeper level. I create pieces that resonate with people’s own feelings and experiences. Ultimately, I want my art to tell a story and inspire those who see it.
The creation of Untold Stories of my Garden and Untold Stories of my Garden 2 (featured) was deeply inspired by Viktoria’s memories of spending summers in her parent’s country house, where she would spend entire days painting amidst apple orchards and lush greenery. “These artworks encapsulate the essence of those nostalgic moments, where each brushstroke recalls the naturalness, tranquillity, and beauty of the surroundings. Through these pieces, capturing my feelings, I aim to share the serene and intimate narratives of my memories from the summer garden.”
Kate Van Doren
American artist Kate Van Doren’s overarching themes as a painter focus on human resiliency. She holds a particular spotlight supporting the voices of women and the LGBTQ community around the world, also seen through The Healing Words Project, a now-global workshop initiative which Kate founded in 2020 during the national strike ‘A Day Without Women’ in Mexico. “The project [has] women worldwide using the platform to share, connect, and heal.” Kate says.
The project is woven closely with her own emotive works. Many of her paintings are based on photography from The Healing Words Project, with participants interviewed as part of the artistic process. “My work [highlights women’s] struggles, triumphs, and the ongoing fight for justice and human rights. By incorporating elements such as cultural symbols and personal narratives, my paintings aim to uplift, emphasizing the power of shared stories and healing through artistic expression.” Her work, Oración Por Las Desaparecidas (Prayer for the Missing), was a Finalist in the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize in 2022 – a moment which “affirmed” her journey as an activist in art and highlighted a global commitment to raising awareness for causes crucial to the healing of women everywhere.
“My activism is generational; I grew up with justice-seeking parents who instilled in me the importance of human rights.” Kate shares proudly. As a psychotherapist and art therapist, she has worked with many women who have experienced trauma and violence.
Through art, I realized I could reach a global audience about violence against women and the healing power of shared stories of resilience.
She is ever grateful for 33PA’s support: “Having someone believe in and support my work is incredibly special. Through 33 Contemporary, Didi Menendez and Sergio have given me amazing opportunities, affirming my artistic voice. I am beyond grateful for their belief in my work.”
J. Adam McGalliard
J. Adam Mc Galliard always felt destined to be an artist, even before fully understanding what that meant. Masterfully blending traditional oil painting with modern technology, he explores themes of identity, myths, and the divides shaping today’s society. Drawing from a wide range of influences, including Old Master Painters like Rembrandt, Jan Van Eyck, and Bronzino alongside his love for dystopian storytelling, his muses have accumulated beautifully into his new series, Erewhon.
Blending dystopian visions with the reality of our environmental and societal crises, Erewhon is a series exploring the intertwining of human existence with a rapidly changing environment. It reflects themes of societal collapse and a redefinition of human-nature relationships amidst extreme polarization and never-ending climate change. Creating “unreal figures in unreal settings”, J. Adam’s works allow for a deep dive into the speculative and the surreal, offering a mirror to our present challenges and future possibilities.
“Collaborating with Sergio Gomez and Didi Menendez has been incredible; they bring extensive art world experience and a genuine understanding of the artist’s perspective, which is a rare and valuable combination,” he shares about 33PA.
Balancing his role as an Assistant Professor of Painting and Drawing at the University of North Florida with his personal art career is admittedly challenging, yet deeply rewarding. “Teaching demands considerable time and energy but breaking down my process to make it teachable has allowed me to scrutinize my own methods more thoroughly, giving me a fresh perspective when I return to my own work.” He muses.
While his favourite pieces in Erewhon are “likely the ones [he hasn’t] painted yet”, Boudica (featured) shines brightly in his heart. Evoking a blend of futuristic and medieval aesthetics, the juxtaposition of natural and technological elements creates a surreal and thought-provoking atmosphere. Named after the legendary warrior queen who led an uprising against the Roman Empire, Boudica symbolizes resilience and defiance in the face of adversity: “this piece particularly resonates with me as it encapsulates the ongoing struggle against and harmony with nature that defines our era.”
Erica Calardo
Working in oils, watercolours and pencils, figurative painter Erica Calardo lives and works in the enchanting city of Bologna, Italy. Her mixed media works allow her to fully utilise each medium to its fullest, wrapping beauty and magic into an enhanced mirror of the world. “Art mediums are like instruments in music: any image, any emotion, calls for a specific voice” she shares. A self-proclaimed traveller and dreamer, Erica’s 17th century, church-like atelier is at the heart of her creative journeys. Here, she paints, “travelling along the dreams of others”, imbuing each painting with her own history as a self-taught artist, enhanced with further tutelage under Roberto Ferri and his treasured Old Masters’ workshops.
Her one “true love” however, falls back to oils, her primary medium. “They are rich in texture, allowing for both bold thick brushstrokes and fine details as well as gentle subtle glazes for a delicate effect. Oils offer a great variety of possibilities and different brushing techniques: experimenting and studying is a lifelong journey. The combination of different brush techniques within one painting is the key to creating striking images. This is especially true because oils allow for different methods: I don’t usually paint alla prima, but I rather go for an indirect layered style. I am constantly looking for the balance between lose bold strokes and delicate refined details. It takes time, but seeing the painting growing towards its final shape is such an intimate experience. It is a meditation, a deep dialogue and exchange between the painter and the painted image.”
Above all Erica enjoys painting female nudes: “achieving the perfect skin tones is a lifelong journey. The human body offers both a hard technical challenge, and the opportunity to express philosophical ideals in an allegoric way.” She explains. “And Didi and Sergio at 33PA provide the most supportive environment, from the professional perspective as well as the creative one. They’re always there for me and their enthusiasm towards the arts is amazing. They focus on the growth of their artists and are constantly providing opportunities to improve. They understand what an artist goes through.”
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